Uhuru arrives in UK for Commonwealth meeting

President Uhuru Kenyatta alights from the plane at the JKIA upon arrival back from Ethiopia. /FILE

President Uhuru Kenyatta has arrived in the United Kingdom for a five-day visit during which he will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

The plane carrying the President landed at the Royal Air Force Northolt airport in West London shortly after 7.30 p.m. where he was received by the Queen’s representative, Jeremy Fern, and Commonwealth officials.

Uhuru is expected to hold talks to market Kenya as a preferred investment destination.

The President is scheduled to hold talks with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Theresa May.

This year’s summit, focused on promoting prosperity, safety, sustainability and fairness, brings together at least 5000 participants from government, business, and civil society.

Besides trade and diplomacy, security and regional development priorities are also part of President Uhuru’s agenda during the five-day visit.

The President is also scheduled to visit the London Stock Exchange (LSE) for a meeting with investors where he will use the occasion to share areas of investment opportunities as envisioned in his Big Four Agenda for Kenya’s growth.

The President is also scheduled to deliver an address at Chatham House where he will speak on Kenya's efforts in achieving inclusive economic growth, the positive role it plays in supporting regional peace, and its station in a globalising world.

“It is essentially a platform for the President to share his view on a range of areas as a Kenyan leader and a pan-Africanist, including security, South Sudan and Somalia, regional integration and global trends. He will also speak to the Big Four development agenda,” State House Spokesperson Manoah Esipisu said.